Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-13
THE CITY COUSIN.

when oOuH dSheu the qucStlon. 1ney naQ
met their city cousin at the tea-table for
the first time, and each was anxious to find
out the opinion of the other.
"Humph! She is like all city girls
looks like a big doll. Ny isn't she fixed
up, though. Likes to show off her pretty
arm, reckon, too"
al don't know" said John, she does
look rather fxy, but shouldn't wonder if
she showed some spirit before the summer
is over. Mother says we ought not to
judge people by their clothes. She SAYS
our country made clothes would look as
much out of place in uncle Mats parlor as
cousin Fans city dresses do in our Kitchen"
"Oh, it isn't all the clothes" returned
George; some way she seems too airy to
suit me. She will be no good on picnics
or to go fishing. She will most likely
scream at snail, and think she is going
to be killed by every COW or sheep that
she sees. | like girls with some pluck,n
he added.
John laughed, but made no reply, as he
took down the milking stool and set about
his evening task of milking five cows
The days went by until Fannie had been
two weeks at the farm So far she certainly
had not shown herself a girl of spirit, and
George voted her nuisance. John was
reserving his opinion. John had way of
keeping his opinions somewhat to himself,
and thereby saved himself some embar-
rassment, when, as was sometimes the case,
he had occasion to change his views.
One morning, as they sat at breakfast,
Mr.. Saunders remarked:
J." wish one of you to lead the horses
down to the shop; Prince has lost two
shoes, and Princess must have hers tight
ened.p
"All right ~ responded George, heartily,
I will CO."
81 am going with you, said Fannie q L
can lead one horse, and want to see the
inside of blacksmiths shop"
That's pretty place for that lace thing
you have on" exclaimed George, with half
sneer.
"Oh do not care to go in, but l sup
pose | can look in. 1t won't hurt my eyes,
will it?"
George was not altogether pleased with
the proposition of the young lady to lead
Princess, but she was determined, and his
father said:
LET Fannie 60. The walk will do her
good; it is gloriously bright morning"
And Fannie went. The blacksmith shop
was only few rods distant, but there was
the railway track to cross. Just before they
reached the railway George stopped sud
denly and said:
=" See here, Fan, do you suppose you can
hold Prince a minute? owe Tom Belts
half dollar, and promised to pay it this
morning, and he is over there in the field :;
if | run over it will save me walk down
to the house. Just hold the halter min
ute. He will stand all right" and George
was off before she had time to refuse, even
if she had any intention of doing so.
George evidently found something to say
to his friend beyond what was necessary to
the settlement of his debt, and the minutes
passed-five, ten, fifteen of them-and still
Fannie stood there holding the horses
and waiting for George. Suddenly the
car whistle sounded, and there, coming
around the curve, was the express train.
Fannie grasped the halters with a
firmer hold, and wondered could she hold
them, or would they trample her under
their feet? George heard the whistle and
remembered the frail girl alone with the
spirited horses close beside the track He
started at once and ran, but he was too
late; the train went whizzing past. The
horses snorted and pulled and jerked at
the halters, but Fannie held on bravely,
though it seemed to her that the flesh was
tearing from her hfnds. The great putting
engine passed and she was still holding the
struggling horses, when suddenly the halt
ers were taken from her grasp, and she saw
her uncle standing beside her.
"Why, Fannie, what does this mean
Where is George?'
Though George was there to speak for
himself, for once he had nothing to say
TO think of your leaving girl to hold
two horses here by the track while you were
off gossiping with Tom Belts. said Mr.
Saunders; "it's mercy she was not killed"
Then turning to Fannie, 81 don't see how
you managed to hold them"
There wasn't anything else to do"
Not even if you were killed. Here,
George, if you think you can manage them
both you may go on to the shop while
take your cousin back to the house. She
will wait until l can go with her before
she sees the irside of the shop But, child,
where is your hat ~
"What there is left of it lies there in
the road" replied Fannie at fell off
tuu udu sonuelililS elsc W uO 50 ulu
not pick it up. Then my hair fell down /;
l must look Ikea crazy girl"
Whatever you may look like, you act
great deal more sane than your cousin
here" replied Mr.. Saunders, who, realizing
the danger in which Fannie had been. was
thoroughly out of patience.
Don't scold him, please" said Fannie /;
he did not mean any harm; he forgot
that | was only a city girl"
You are a plucky one, anyway" said
George and I'll never again say you are
no good"
"That was quite an apology for George
to make" said Mr.. Saunders, as he and
Fannie turned to go back to the house.
He hates to own that he has made mis-
take.
"Here, mother. have brought Fannie
back to you; | guess you may as well put
her to bed, for she is pretty nearly used
up" said Mr. Saunders to his wife as he
| and Fannie reached the house.
1t was true that the girl was quite over
come. When the excitement was over she
had found herself unable to stand alone,
and her uncle had almost carried her. 1t
was several days before she regained her
strength, but she had gained stanch
friend. Her cousin George was ever after
her firm ally. If a picnic or fishing excur-
sion, or later in the season, nutting party
was proposed, George was sure to say: "Of
course have the girls along; as a rule, they
are a nuisance, but Fan is worth a
dozen boys"
Fannie" he said one day whom they
were talking it over, "why didn't you lie t
nf, Of tho baItarc tbaf p,orn;pc,
My mother taught me when 1 was a
little child to hold fast If l had let go
then / should have been ashamed when
ever / remembered it," replied Fannie
Theodocia, IN Pansy.
THE STANDARD DOLLAR.